Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. Neoclassical furniture took its cues from the styles of ancient Rome and Athens: symmetrical, ordered, dignified forms with such details as tapered and fluted chair and table legs, backrest finials and scrolled arms.
Over a period of some 20 years, first in France and later in Britain, neoclassical design — also known as Louis XVI, or Louis Seize — would supersede the lithe and curvaceous Rococo or Louis XV style.
The first half of the 18th century had seen a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity. The "Grand Tour" of Europe, codified as a part of the proper education of a patrician gentleman, included an extended visit to Rome. Some ventured further, to sketch the ruins of ancient Greece. These drawings and others — particularly those derived from the surprising and rich archaeological discoveries in the 1730s and ’40s at the sites of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — caused great excitement among intellectuals and aesthetes alike.
Neoclassical furniture is meant to reflect both grace and power. The overall appearance of neoclassical chairs, tables and cabinetry is strong and rectilinear. These pieces are, in effect, classical architecture in miniature: chair and table legs are shaped like columns; cabinets are constructed with elements that mirror friezes and pediments.
Yet neoclassicism is enlivened by gilt and silver leaf, marquetry, and carved and applied ornamental motifs based on Greek and Roman sculpture: acanthus leaves, garlands, laurel wreaths, sheaves of arrow, medallions and chair splats are carved in the shapes of lyres and urns. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
As you can see from the furniture on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep neoclassicism fresh.
Find antique neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
1880s English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen, Velvet, Beads
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
2010s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary German Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1990s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silk
1990s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Textile
Early 2000s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Bronze, Copper, Tin
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Precious Stone
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Moldovan Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ash
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Tapestry, Wool, Linen, Silk
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Plate, Silver, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold, Enamel
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Tôle
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1750s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Onyx, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
1990s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1780s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak, Rosewood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Porphyry
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Stone
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood